How frazzled fathers struggle to juggle work-life balance

RISING numbers of frazzled fathers are struggling to find a work-life balance, a survey shows.

Fathers are struggling to balance their work and spending time with their children

Long hours at work are now affecting modern fathers who want to spend more time with their children and are also expected to do their fair share of childcare while their partner works.

Nearly two-thirds of fathers who have youngsters under school age do not have a work pattern that suits them.

Most want to either work from home or have flexible hours but half the 1,000 fathers surveyed feel this would be seen by bosses as a lack of commitment.

Work-life balance is a personal thing and different for everyone, but these stats show a trend that Dads feel like they’re getting it wrong. There are companies out there who recognise the significance of family life but others who are missing a trick

Al Ferguson, founder of The Dad Network

Al Ferguson, founder of The Dad Network, an online support group, said: “It’s a concern that so many feel like their work and family life isn’t balanced and an even greater concern they feel they can’t approach their workplace to discuss more flexibility.”

Ben Black, director of HR specialists My Family Care, which commissioned the research, said: “Today, two out of three mothers are in employment.

Al Ferguson, founder of The Dad Network, an online support network for fathers, said: “It’s a concern that so many dads feel like their work and family life isn’t balanced and an even greater concern that they feel they can’t approach their workplace to discuss more flexibility.

“Work-life balance is a personal thing and different for everyone, but these stats show a trend that Dads feel like they’re getting it wrong. There are companies out there who recognise the significance of family life but others who are missing a trick.

“Getting a good work-life balance is crucial to effective parenting and those parents that have jobs where it’s difficult (or indeed impossible) to be flexible, must find this incredibly hard.”